Actor returns to Stratford stage as advocate

STRATFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- The American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford was a fixture in the arts world for decades. It shut down in the late 1980s but now some local nonprofits are working to get it back up and running and they're getting some famous support.

53 years after actor Ed Asner performed in a production of The Merry Wives of Windsor at the American Shakespeare in Stratford, he returned to the stage. This time his role was not as an actor, but an advocate.

"It was a marvelous, marvelous summer and I'll never forget Stratford," Asner said, "it's so aptly named Shakespeare belongs here, theatre belongs here."

He made his return to help raise money for the restoration of the theatre.

"The Arts Commission thank Ed Asner first returning alumnus to the American Shakespeare Theatre bringing the arts back to Stratford, Connecticut."

"If you folks don't find the money some place you better keep at it until it's finally accrued and put it back to restoration of this beautiful institution," Asner said.

The theatre has been closed since the late 1980s. Community leaders are now working to bring back the theater that put Stratford on the map.

"This is a slice of americana," said Edward Goodrich, Arts Commission Chairman. "This is the American Shakespeare Festival, it's known world-wide and it's a tradition. It's an institution and everyone is really heartfelt about saving the arts."

"To invigorate America," said Asner, "to invigorate the theatre arts, it's necessary."

They'll be working inside the theatre for the next several months and hope to have the first performance in decades back on the stage sometime this spring.